After 24 days, the Trans-Australian railway has re-opened and WA is reconnected with the rest of the country.

A 300-kilometre stretch of the track was damaged in serious flooding in South Australia last month, causing major disruption to WA’s supply chain.

Double road-trains have been driving into Perth to deliver essential items.

We’re being warned it will take some time to clear the backlog along the railway with the Australian Rail Track Corporation saying they are working with customers to ensure goods can get to market.

Chief Operating Officer at Pacific National, Pat O’Donnell told Gareth Parker the railway won’t be running at full capacity for a few days.

“In terms of volume, it’ll be pretty much normal from Thursday or Friday onwards,” he said.

“Obviously groceries, frozen foods and refrigerated foods are our absolute priority.”

Mr O’Donnell said they will be ramping up work to ensure the backlog is cleared. However, he said it could still take a while to catch-up.

“Over the next six to eight weeks we’ll be able to move that volume and replenish all the warehouses and supermarket shelves,” said Mr O’Donnell.

Nine freight trains will be travelling to WA and the Northern Territory today.

“We’ll make sure every train is full and every train is double stacked.”

Mr O’Donnell added it’s important the government doesn’t lose this opportunity to make the rail line “more resilient.”

“It’d be a shame if we don’t make the most of this opportunity and make sure that government is aware how important this rail line is.”

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